So Joel and I had gone to over 60 grocery stores in 3 cities. One of the grocery stores in September/October said they would give to us. We put a plastic bin with Supplying Needs name on it and our phone number. We called every few weeks and went in a couple of times. But every time they said no no we will call you. Over and over they said no no we will call you.
Last Wednesday we get two calls during bible study from a number that we did not recognize. AFter bible study Joel called them back. It happened to be the same grocery store that said yes but never gave to us. They said they had a fire in their store and needed us to come pick up food. Joel asked if we needed the mini-bus or the truck. They didn't know but thought the truck would be best. We went there and as soon as we got out of the vehicle they asked us where our flash lights were. I ran to the nearest store and bought 4 flash lights. At the store the owner took us on a tour of the grocery store in the dark. We went up and down the aisles as the owner told us to take EVERYTHING. I mean everything. Then he asked if it was only Joel and I and where our help was. We didn't have any help. We called as many people we could think of. And after a few hours the youth pastor from our Church was able to leave work and come help us. HUGE HUGE HUGE HELP.
During this time we were wondering where we were going to put all this food. I wasn't worried I knew that if God had this planned out he would plan where the food needed to go.
The first day we loaded the truck from the top to the bottom FULL of dry and canned goods. And we had only been able to get clear 4 aisles.
We rented a 10x20 storage unit and got the first month for free. We unloaded it all the next day into the storage unit. Then went back on Friday to load more from the grocery store. We filled the truck up once again with as much as we could fit. On Friday we had a friend of ours come help of an hour. She heard Joel and I talking about renting another storage unit because there was no way we had enough room in the one we were renting. She said she had connections and called a friend whose husband owns a strip mall full of offices. Her husband approved us to be there for one month FREE OF CHARGE. Saturday we went to the place and unloaded our once again FULL TRUCK.
Today (Monday) we loaded the rest of the items. Look at God. He is so good.
And the guy that called us about the fire at the grocery store didn't even know us. When we mentioned the guy that had approved us he asked how we knew his brother. The only thing the guy had or knew of us was our one plastic bin with our name and phone number on it. We praise God and look forward to giving all the food out free of charge so we can spread the love of Christ and share what God does in the lives of people today!!!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY,
The Butlers
2 comments:
(Sweet. I read this before mom heard about it. I love it when I get to tell her stuff she hasn't yet heard.) Exciting stuff. For some reason, this story reminds me of the picture of you two in your fire outfits with the dog beside the ship. Hope this is the break you guys needed. Perhaps now it will just keep rolling in!
wow. what an AWESOME God we serve indeed! His ways are so unique - I cannot help but grin...looks like you both have been incredibly busy, but blessed!
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